Both born in 1917 in Alberta, Doris Haskell and Art Isert married in 1938 in Lloydminster, Alberta. They moved to British Columbia in 1947 with their three sons, LaVerne, Dwayne and Mervyn, and their daughter, Bonny. Sadly, Art passed away in 1986 and Doris early in 2010.
Right up until her 93rd birthday, Doris lived in Burnaby. Affectionately named “Radio Isert International” by one of her grandsons, she kept in close contact with her four children, eight grandchildren, eight great- grandchildren, as well as dozens of Haskell and Isert kin. One of her final accomplishments was publication of the letters exchanged between her and Art over the winter of 1940-1941. Dear Honey & Kids is available from www.lulu.com
Kara Isert is Doris and Art’s eldest granddaughter. Like the rest of Doris’ children and grandchildren, she has travelled the world yet has always been anchored to her Nana, Doris, the heart of the family. Now living in Toronto with Joe Harmatiuk, she enjoyed editing her grandparents’ letters.
A second volume of letters is planned to tell Doris and Art’s postwar story just before the family’s move from Alberta to B.C. in 1947.
Leave a comment